Automatic pitch control for horns



April 28, 1931. M. A. STOVER ,8

AUTOMATIC PITCH CONTROL FOR HORNS FiledJan. 31, 1950 fin/77227;Zwrrqyflr pea.

Patented Apr. 28, 1931 mama:

PATENT OFFICE MURRAY A. STOVER, OI? PASADENA, CALIFORNIA AUTOMATIC PITCHCONTROL FOR HORNS Application filed January 31, 1930.

This invention relates to horns and more especially to a means foraltering the pitch of horns, such as clarinets and saxophones in amanner that will make the scale more equalized and perfect throughoutthe whole length of the tube.

An object, in other words, is to regulate the sharpness or flatness ofthe horn, without varying the volume of the sound from the horn, of theabove mentioned class of musical instruments.

It is a common practice to lower the pitch of a horn, as usuallyconstructed, by drawing out the mouthpiece to the desired degree.

This effects the tone emitted from the hole nearest the mouthpiece thegreatest amount and each one beyond it proportionately less so that theones at the extreme lower end of the tube are affected very little, andthe result is an unequal scale much out of tune.

A purpose, here, is to make it possible to lower the tones produced fromthe holes fur ther from the mouthpiece without affecting those in theupper portion near the mouthpiece thus making a more equalized scalethroughout the whole range.

Further an aim is to provide for the automatic change of horn tune orpitch by and with the action of a given note key of the lower positiongroup to be affected.

A desideratum is to provide a supplemental tone controlling chamberwhich is not open to the atmosphere and may be considered ashermetically sealed except for certain operative means to providecommunication between said chamber and the horn tube proper, and, inthis connection, an object is to provide means to regulate the volume ofthe pitching chamber, and to provide a controlled and variable passagetherefrom to the horn tube and to provide a quick-action valve operativein connection with a given key of a selected group whose note tones areto be pitched by reason of effect of the pitching chamber.

Additionally, it is intended to provide a means for effecting a changeof octave register and control its pitch in one action.

The invention consists in certain advancements in this art as set forthin the ensuing Serial No. 424,851.

disclosure and having, with the above, additional objects andadvantages, and whose con struction, combination and details of means,and the manner of operation will be made manifest in the description ofthe herewith illustrative embodiment; it being understood thatmodifications, variations and adaptations may be resorted to within thescope, principle and spirit of the invention as it is more directlyclaimed hereinafter.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a horn tube showing theincorporated pitching chamber.

Figure 2 is a sectional detail of the chamber and passage control meansthereof.

Figure 3 is a section of the passage regulator.

Figure 4 illustrates the combined register key action and pitching valvecouple.

In its present'adaptation the pitch or tun- 7O ing device is combinedwith a horn tube 10 having a mouthpiece 11 which is slidable to vary theupper position key notes.

Combined with the tube 10 is a supplemental chamber 12, of cylindricalform and having a piston 13 by which the volume of the chamber may beeasily varied. The variable pitch chamber connects with the horn througha small passage or conduit 12'. The flow capacity in this passage isvaried by a regulator such as a screw 14, whose inner end may choke tothe desired degree.

The passage 12 is provided with a valve 13 which, in this case, isrotative and has a port 14 to open or close the passage instantly forair flow as determined by the master regulator 14.

While the pitch valve 13 may be actuated in various ways it is hereshown as combined with a key-pad shaft 15, mounted in bearings 9 19, andconnected by a suitable action 16 to the stem of the valve 13. So that,in effect, the operation of the pitch valve 13' may be regarded asautomatic, as it occurs at the time of actuation of the key shaft 15 anddoes not require direct action by the player of the instrument.

In Fig. 4 the supplementary, pitching device has two compartments, onefor group pitch valve 13' and one for an octave regis- W ter key 17which controls its pitch chamber 18 by a valve 13 which is concurrentlybrought into action with and by the octave register key.

It will be seen that this device is effective to change the pitch of oneregister independently of the other, or of a group of notes that requirecorrection independentlyofthe other. And this correction is made withoutmagnifying or altering the tone of the instrument. The use of theoctaveregister keyis known to slightly sharpen the upper register and in thisinvention the automatically controlled. pitching device comes intoeffect to remedy this defect of the register.

Various keypads 71-6 inclusive are shown, and to one of these the shaft15 is attached.

What is claimed is:

1. A horn having, in combination and communicative with its tube, meansincluding a closed supplementary air chamber whereby the tuneof thecommunicating tube may be varied in its tonal pitch.

2. A horn having, in combination and communicative with its tube, meansincluding a closed supplementary air chamber whereby the tune of thecommunicating tube may be varied in its tonal pitch, and means forvaryingpitching effect of the said chamber.

8. A horn having, in combination and communicative with its tube, meansincluding a closed supplementary air chamber whereby the tune of thecommunicating tube may be varied in its tonal pitch, means for varyingpitching effect of the said chamber, and including a displacement pistonadjustable therein.

4. A horn having, in combination and communicative with its tube, meansincluding a closed supplementary air chamber whereby the tune of thecommunicating tube may be varied in its tonal pitch, and means forregulating communication between the chamber and the tube.

5. A horn having, in combination and communicative withits tube, meansincluding a closed supplementary air chamber whereby the tune ofthecommunicating tube may be varied in'ijts tonal pitch, and means forregulating communication between thechamber and the tube, and a valvefor opening and closing communication independently of the regu a ion 6.A'horn having, in combination and communicative with its tube, meansincluding a closed supplementary air chamber whereby the tune of thecommunicating tube may be var ed in its tonal pitch, and a keycontrolled valve controlling communication between the tubeiand thechamber; whereby pitch may be varied .Qoincidently with sound productionin a lven register.

7 A horn pitching device including a .QlQSBd supplementary chambercommunicating with'the horn tubethrough a small passage.

MURRAY A. STOVER.

